The Lemon Index2001 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2001 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 386 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 251, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 19 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 668 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 87K miles on the car (358 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–68K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–88K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 37K–116K miles
Recalls 7
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- lights 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 0…
Show all 7 recalls
- lights 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTI…
- lights 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
- equipment 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENT…
- brakes 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 240 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding coolant leaking from coolant reservoir bottle wiring connector contaminates…
- Ignition coil overlay harness, installing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake light switch failure2006
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
- ClosedInadvertent side-airbag deployment2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
There was a foul smell coming from inside of the vehicle. Consumer has had to go to hospital because of a rash due to some kind of chemical that she was smelling. Contacted dealer, and dealer could not find cause.
2001 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 8018963
More owner reports
Vehicle stalls at any speed/ any time. Shortly after purchase engine check light came on. Taken to dealer who repaired. However, vehicle stalls on a daily basis, taken to dealer 6 times, cannot remedy problem.
NHTSA complaint 896531
Upon starting the vehicle a shear Bolt associated with the ignition switch broke without vehicle being involved in a collision. If this occurred while driving vehicle would stop running.
NHTSA complaint 10074059
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 251; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (17%), electrical (16%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have?
7 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta get?
19 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 87,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 358 complaints.
Does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works